'Marijuana's a gift from God' - mum renews court defence

A FIERY Mapleton mother set the stage yesterday for a heated debate over whether marijuana is a gift from God that should not be illegal.

After a string of adjournments dating back to early August, Pieta Michelle Morgan, 37, told Maroochydore Magistrates Court she would be pleading not guilty to charges of possession and production of a dangerous drug.

Outside the courtroom, Ms Morgan shook her head in disbelief.

"It's the most helpful plant on the planet, and it's banned, illegal," she said.

Last year, at her first court appearance on the charges, Ms Morgan argued that the Bible verse Genesis 1:29, which talks of God's provision of "every seed-bearing plant" for food for mankind, afforded her the right to possess and use marijuana.

"I have a constitutional right to have marijuana because it is a plant according to Genesis 1:29," she told the court.

Magistrate Annette Hennessy ordered that a police brief into the matter be prepared in readiness for the next court appearance on April 8.

Ms Morgan also intends to plead not guilty to charges of possessing drug utensils and possessing property suspected of being used in a crime.

Reader poll

Where do you place marijuana in the grand plan?

This poll ended on 17 February 2013.

Current Results

A gift from God that should be smoked

48%

A gift from God that shouldn't be abused

25%

A quirk of nature

7%

A noxious weed

18%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.